With the 2020 Major League Baseball season set to begin in 24 hours, the Toronto Blue Jays are still without a home. The Blue Jays’ request to play home games at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Penn., was denied on Wednesday.
The Blue Jays are searching for a home after Canada’s government denied their request to play at Rogers Centre due to the frequent travel that would be required. Toronto had made an agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates and MLB to play at PNC Park on Tuesday night, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. However, Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine shut the plan down.
“In recent weeks, we have seen a significant increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in southwestern Pennsylvania,” Levine said in a statement. “To add travelers to this region for any reason, including for professional sports events, risks residents, visitors and members of both teams. We know that this virus does not discriminate, and can even make professional athletes very sick. We are committed to protecting the health and well-being of all Pennsylvanians.”
The Blue Jays have considered Baltimore, Md., and Dunedin, Fla., as possible host sites, according to ESPN. However, Florida is a hotspot for COVID-19.
Another option for the Blue Jays is to play all the games on the road.
The Blue Jays start the season in Tampa Bay on Friday. Their first home game is set to be played against the Washington Nationals next Wednesday.
